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2015 CitySwitch Award winners announced 25 November 2015

Smart green companies earned national recognition last night for leading the way with energy-efficient buildings and slashing carbon emissions. 

The CitySwitch Green Office awards are a prestigious event recognising environmental excellence across the Australian business community. 

NSW winners for 2015 included Bupa, WT Sustainability, Aurecon and the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage and Colliers International. 

Lord Mayor Clover Moore praised CitySwitch members for their commitment and taking effective action to address climate change. 

The national overall winner West Australian Local Government Association, took out the top accolade for improving from a three to six star NABERS rated office, installing solar panels and working to encourage staff through a variety of sustainability programs including recycling. 

The City of Sydney-led CitySwitch program represents over 12 per cent of all Australia’s office space and helps companies significantly cut their carbon emissions, become more energy efficient and reduce energy and waste costs.

The Lord Mayor congratulated companies for seizing opportunities for a low-carbon future and said CitySwitch participants are taking action and ‘showing by doing’.

“In our cities, around 80 per cent of emissions come from buildings, and half of that 80 per cent is controlled by building occupants,” the Lord Mayor said.

“It’s impressive to see Australian businesses proactively tackling climate change by making their buildings more efficient, and in doing so reduce their bottom line.                                                                                                            

“At the City we’ve reduced our own energy consumption by retrofitting 45 of our buildings, installing solar panels and replacing all conventional streetlights with energy saving LEDs.”

CitySwitch is Australia’s leading sustainability program for office-based businesses, covering almost three million square metres of floor space. Members have embarked on 1,463 sustainability projects this year and have reported an average accredited NABERS rating of 4.5 stars while purchasing 294,000 tonnes of carbon offsets.

The national winners were selected from state champions and judged by a national panel that included representatives from the Green Building Council Australia, Energy Efficiency Council and Property Council of Australia.

The Lord Mayor praised Sydney winners for impressive energy savings since joining the program and helping build Sydney’s reputation as a smart and sustainable city.

“In just eight months since joining the program, Bupa has made significant energy savings. By successfully merging two of their offices they have created an energy efficient environment, with happier employees, while making significant cost savings.

“Forward-thinking businesses that recognise climate leadership as a necessity are also gaining a competitive advantage as they are reducing their overheads and improving shareholder value.

An Oxford University review has found that sustainability is one of the most significant trends in the financial markets. Around 80 per cent of the studies show that stock price performance of companies is positively influenced by good sustainability practices.

Bupa has been named NSW new signatory of the year and joins a raft of CitySwitch members boosting health, wellness and productivity alongside energy efficiency. Members have reported increased employee job satisfaction as a result of a healthier work environment with employer’s reporting increased productivity and reduced sick days and staff turnover.

The CitySwitch 2015 award winners are

National:

CitySwitch New Signatory of the Year - Allens
CitySwitch National Signatory of the Year - West Australian Local Government Association
CitySwitch National Partnership of the Year - Government of Western Australia Housing Authority and Curtin University

NSW:

CitySwitch New Signatory of the Year - Bupa
CitySwitch Signatory of the Year under 2000 sqm - WT Sustainability
CitySwitch Signatory of the Year over 2000 sqm - Aurecon
CitySwitch Partnership of the Year - 59-61 Goulburn Street - NSW Office of Environment & Heritage and Colliers International

WA:

CitySwitch Signatory of the Year under 2000sqm - West Australian Local Government Association
CitySwitch Signatory of the Year over 2000sqm - RAC
CitySwitch New Signatory of the Year - Allens
CitySwitch Partnership of the Year - Government of Western Australia Housing Authority and Curtin University

SA:

CitySwitch Signatory of the Year under 2000sqm - Knight Frank
CitySwitch Signatory of the Year over 2000sqm - Nunkuwarrin Yunti of South Australia Inc.

VIC:

CitySwitch New Signatory of the Year - Allens
CitySwitch Signatory of the Year under 2000 sqm - TANK
CitySwitch Signatory of the Year over 2000 sqm - Transport Accident Commission
CitySwitch Partnership of the Year - National Australia Bank and The GPT Group

Source: City Switch